Khulna: Police rescued a food inspector, Sushanta Kumar Mazumder, five and a half hours after his abduction from Terokhada upazila in the early hours today. The rescue operation also led to the arrest of two individuals, including a mobile banking agent, in connection with the incident from Rupsha upazila.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the arrested persons have been identified as Alamgir Kabir, a mobile banking agent, and Musa Khan, an alleged extortionist. The police were able to conduct the rescue operation based on video footage and a general diary (GD) filed by the victim’s wife. Sushanta was found tied up at Azogara BRB High School in Terokhada Upazila around 12:30 am and was subsequently admitted to Khulna Medical College Hospital for treatment.
Sushanta, a food inspector stationed at the 4-no ghat area depot in Khulna, was abducted on Sunday evening. Video evidence showed four to five criminals forcibly taking him on a trawler at around 7 pm, transporting him to the River Atharobeki. Following the abduction, Madhabi Rani Mazumder, Sushanta’s wife, filed a GD with the Khulna sadar police station, revealing prior threats from local extortionists demanding a payment of Taka three lac.
Madhabi Rani disclosed that before the abduction, her husband informed her of a visit by extortionists including Razu and Babu Mondal to his office. His mobile phone was subsequently switched off. She also mentioned that she had paid Taka 45,000 to the extortionists via a mobile banking agent, with further threats received demanding Taka three lac as ransom.
The Officer-in-Charge of Khulna sadar police station, Sanwar Howlader, reported that the Khulna Metropolitan Police (KMP), alongside Terokhada police, conducted the rescue operation. Assistant Commissioner of KMP (Media) Khondokar Hossain Ahmad stated that efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining criminals involved in the abduction. The arrested individuals are set to be presented before the court with a remand request, and the GD has been elevated to an extortion case.